New version of Android to feature Flash, tethering

The 2.2 release of Google's Android brings some impressive new features, including support for tethering and Flash 10.1.

While many Android users are still patiently waiting for version 2.1 of the OS to be released for their handsets, the net is thrumming with rumours of new features to come in Android 2.2 - codenamed Froyo.

Continuing Google's longstanding tradition of naming its Android releases after sweet snacks - the codename being a portmanteau of "frozen yoghurt" - Android 2.2 Froyo looks set to be the version which really - ironically - brings the heat to Apple.

When the guys over at AndroidPolice.com got their hands on a pre-release version of the firmware, they fudged it onto a 2.1-enabled Nexus One handset and ran some benchmarks - with eye-opening results. While few people would call Android 2.1 a slouch (especially as it typically runs on high-end handsets), Froyo scored 450 percent higher on the Linpack benchmark. As this represents direct improvements to the Dalvik Java Virtual Machine on which client applications run, theoretically this is going to translate to a much smoother experience across all hardware.

Tethering has been supported on the Android platform for a while, but only via third-party software packages, some of which cost money if you want to use certain protocols. There's one possible fly in the ointment, however: the networks. With mobile networks becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of data a smartphone user can get through in an average month - see Vodafone's announcement that it is to start enforcing a 500MB a month download cap across all tariffs - it's perfectly possible that subsidised handsets bought as part of a contract will come with the tethering feature disabled.

Network worries aside, Froyo looks set to be the best version of Android yet - let's just hope all the current Android handsets get a timely upgrade.

Are you an Android user salivating at the thought of a 450 percent speed boost, or is it the tethering that's got you all excited? Are you an iPhone user who still thinks that Google's got a long way to go before it can offer a real challenge to Apple? Share your thoughts over in the forums.

Updates are not readily made available to H/W which is capable of using them. eg. HTC Hero.

A lot of companys are building UI layers on top of Android like HTC and their Sense UI. This means you have to wait for HTC to release a custom version of Android 2.1 or 2.2 with Sense for your phone on your network.

And sometimes they just dont bother.

My HTC Hero is still on Android 1.5. HTC didnt bother with 1.6 or 2.0 and even now 2.1 is not available for it unless you want to jailbreak/root your phone and install a 2.1 version of Android yourself... doable, but not everyone wants to risk this.

I guess if you want to be guaranteed the quickest Android updates then invest in a Nexus One. Vanilla Android, straight from Google... will be the first to get the updates.

Compare and contrast with Apple who support their phones superbly from an update perspective.

As for me.... this HTC Hero is gonna be the last Android phone I ever own. It was not ready for prime time when I bought and I was duped into buying it (Bluetooth is a joke on this phone for example).

now maybe someone with an android can explain this too me, but can older handsets which shipped with 1.6 be upgraded to anything higher?

EDIT:: lewchenko answerd the question and i didnt notice it before i posted.
Still a bit of a bummer for those who WANT HTC's shiney but also want the android updates. Of course HTC has a reason for not giving updates on older phones..... money.

i think maybe a rooted Android (or pure-breed google) is the best way to go with android.

The updates look great on paper but as has been said it only works if companies release the update (I'm looking at you HTC).
I got fed up with HTC always putting the release back for the Hero and just rooted it in the end.
I'll be happy to try another Android phone again after the Hero falls apart (I keep my phone for a long time), but will not get a HTC phone.

I got the Nexus one so I expect a very fast update. In saying that I really hope google leans on manufactures to get this out for each and every handset ASAP. I will certainly enjoy the speed boost but not as much as my sisters will with their Motorola Dext and HTC magic.

I remember reading somewhere (a while ago now) that o2 users using unauthorised tethering (ie. without the expensive o2 bolt on) on their iPhones were having their handsets "blocked". If there was "free" tethering on phones using Android that would be a major deciding factor for me over buying an iphone when the 4g finally hits the shelves.

From the XDA forums, they suggest it will not be available for the Hero and other older HTC devices due to the need for HTC to leek a new kernel for Android 2.2, which probably won't happen as HTC won't develop 2.2 for there older devices.

So looks for us HERO owners, 2.1 is the best we'll get for now - which is no bad thing after rooting and flashing the 2.1 rom on - works great!

I have a Motorola Milestone which, like the the Nexus one, runs a completely vanilla Android OS. Moto finally released the over the air update to 2.1 last week - Even though 2.1 has been available on the Nexus One since its release in the US at the end of 2009! Its not just HTC users that have to wait.

I'm sure there's plenty of reasons to justify the delay but the frustrating thing is that there are still bugs in it. They're being whinged about at length in the Moto Support forum. I, fortunately, am only experiencing one bug in that my phone no longer vibrates when I receive a text message! (incoming calls, it's fine).
I don't suppose anyone else is having the same problem?

I'll patiently wait for 2.2 as I did with the other updates but I hope it comes sooner, rather than later. It sounds like a seriously decent update.

One thing I loved about WinMo phones and now Android phones is there isn't a lot stopping you from rooting the phone and building your own version of the OS ahead of the network releases.
As for the UI, yeah the defualt one is somewhat pants but there are some good free products out there like sweeterhome that give you overlays, higher resolutions, buttons, more screens, more spaces within the screen etc.. and it can all be done from the device.

In fact... Bit-Tech/CPC time for a guide to custom building your phone? Some of the newer smart phones are basically small laptops by now.

Originally Posted by lewchenkoCompare and contrast with Apple who support their phones superbly from an update perspective.

True, but then they only really have one hardware platform to support, and that's their own. Plus, aside from small bug fixes and things, real improvements only come once a year.

I don't think Google can be blamed for the speed with which HTC and other 3rd parties roll out the updates. If you want the latest and greatest immediately then get the Nexus One, simples.
Alternatively, root your phone and stick whatever ROM you want on there.

I currently have an iPhone and as soon as the contract runs out I'll probably jump ship (although the 4G leak did reignite my interest in the iPhone).

Originally Posted by Cupboarda strict 500MB limit? It is very easy to get through that much!
If you are going to limit it, 1GB would be far more reasonable.

That's what I thought when I got my HTC Hero and 500mb a month on Orange, and the only time I go near the limit is when watching bbc iplayer on the move. Think the key thing responsible for this is I have wifi everywhere and plan ahead downloading podcasts or caching google map data so when I do connect to 3g, it tends to be for latest news and updates via Opera Mini or Facebook updates.

2.1 is coming to Orange Hero's fairly soon. I love HTC's sense as it has tethering built in and works flawlessly with Exchange 2007. Also much quicker than the iPhone when working with Exchange and the battery lasts twice as long!!

Originally Posted by Faulk_WulfSprint, Verizon, and I think even Cricket have unlimited data plans. Though I have a blackberry, and never use more then 15mb a month, I don't know how anyone could pull down 500mb+ on a cellphone.

@TrickyGT - 3GB is standard with any Android phone sold by T-Mobile... and it's treated as a freebie rather than a the flexible booster, so you can choose another. It's the reason I avoided Orange and Vodafone as they could only offer 500MB for the same money... and my calls to 01, 02 & 03 numbers don't count in my minutes allowance thanks to the flexible booster option. And even though the 3g coverage may not be as good as I'd like, it's decent enough to work 95%+ of the time I want it to.

But ithe 3GB limit only applies to Android phones. Don't expect it if the phone you're looking at isn't Android.

On topic with 2.2 it all looks good, but chances are I'll be waiting a while. As much as I love my SE X10, it uses 1.6 thanks to SE having developed its UX skin for it and they're not updating to 2.1 until November, let alone 2.2.

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